The cognitive learning theory states that sensory input of information enters the brain and is put into short-term memory. Through rehearsal of that short-term memory the information can be moved to long-term memory. That is the key- to get information into long-term memory. There are only so many things we can remember at one time when we are overloaded with information, so connections need to be made. Dr. Michael Orey said that there are many things that can help increase our students’ cognitive memory. First off, teachers can integrate multiple senses into presentations. Second, images can be a very powerful tool to help a student understand the information better. Finally, elaboration with the information can help. Elaboration is building numerous connections to the stored information.
This week in our course material we learned about two different instructional strategies. The first one was cues, questions, and advance organizers. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski state that those instructional strategies, “focus on enhancing students’ ability to retrieve, use, and organize information about a topic” (p.73) Cues and questions seem to go with elaboration. Cues are reminders about what students are experiencing or going to experience. Elaboration is all about making more connections as many different ways as possible. Concept mapping is a form of an advance organizer which will allow the students to focus on what they are being taught. If I give my students an essential question to answer on a concept map and then, throughout the learning we fill in what they have learned- it will help imprint the information into their long-term memory. More connections, more visuals, and it will help organize their thoughts. I think these are great teaching strategies to incorporate into one’s classroom. Virtual field trips would make another connection by using multiple senses. It would be visual and auditory. It would allow them to actually experience what they are learning.
The other teaching strategy we read about was summarizing and note taking. These skills are all about taking information and condensing it into the important stuff. Both help students focus on the main ideas and the details that support it. Again, these are cognitive skills. They will help students commit information to memory.
Learning about these different learning theories and then applying the information in my classroom is making me a better teacher. It has made me think more carefully about how I actually teach.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2012). Cognitive Learning Theories [DVD]. Bridging Learning Theory Instruction and Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E.R., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Denver, CO: McREL
I agree that elaboration gives the students a chance to integrate the knowledge they have learned into long term memory. I have found that concept mapping is very helpful my students especially those who do not have a "base line" of background knowledge when we begin a unit or something new. I think it because they see the connections being made visually.
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